Lotterywest axes link to 'violent' Skyworks

BEATRICE THOMASThe West Australian

Tuesday, 19 January 2010 5:47AM

One of the major sponsors of the Australia Day Skyworks, Lotterywest, has asked for its name to be no longer associated with the event after 15 years and has refused to guarantee funding next year amid growing debate over alcohol-fuelled violence at the event.

It comes as the City of Perth confirmed up to 1310 people would be wined and dined in licensed corporate boxes on the foreshore during the fireworks spectacular.

This prompted claims from the Police Union that the council was hypocritical given the alcohol ban in place for other revellers. Lotterywest confirmed yesterday it had asked to no longer hold naming rights to the event, which this year is called the City of Perth Australia Day Skyworks.

Lotterywest's name has been associated with Skyworks since 1995 and this year it will contribute $500,000.

Lotterywest spokeswoman Jodi Eastman played down the significance of the decision, which she said was first suggested in 2008.

She said Lotterywest believed the naming rights were "not appropriate" and "did not add value" to the event, which attracts up to 300,000 revellers to the foreshore, because the city organised the annual celebration.

But Acting Opposition Leader Roger Cook, Police Union president Russell Armstrong and former Fremantle mayor Peter Tagliaferri said it pointed to concerns about the event's poor public image.

Ms Eastman said while Lotterywest was "obviously not happy" with some of the alcohol-fuelled incidents in recent years, she insisted there was "no particular reason" for the decision and it had nothing to do with recent debate around total alcohol bans.

The organisation was "absolutely" satisfied with the running of the event and supported the city and police.

But Mr Cook said it appeared Lotterywest intended to withdraw funding from future Skyworks.

Mr Tagliaferri was more blunt, saying Lotterywest had "finally seen the light" and predicted it would reduce or cancel future grants.

"Lotterywest is there to help people in need, raise money and it's got to be associated with good things, not bad things and Skyworks is unfortunately heading in the wrong direction," he said.

Ms Eastman said the grants were decided annually following a review of each year's Skyworks.

City of Perth chief executive Frank Edwards said last year's event was "almost trouble-free" with fewer reported serious incidents. He said about 14 corporate boxes, each holding 40 adults and 40 children, had been sold for $10,400 each.

A further 40 guests from 20 organisations would be in the city's corporate box and 110 guests in the elected members' box. Guests could expect a sit-down dinner and drinks package with the boxes subject to liquor licensing conditions.

Mr Armstrong said it was a double-standard given families were banned from bringing alcohol to the event. "If they ask for a total ban then they should scrap corporate boxes."